Formerly a pudgy kid by his own admission, Torrey Pines senior Patrick Lenihan has turned into a powerful force for the Falcons boys water polo team.

That was especially evident in the second half of the Poway Invitational final on Saturday as Lenihan recorded two goals and an assist to help lift Torrey Pines to a 7-5 victory over defending tourney champion Granite Hills at Del Norte High.

The Falcons (5-1) faced a 4-3 halftime deficit before Lenihan scored on the first shot of the third quarter with 14 seconds expired. He followed with the only other goal in the period and ultimately assisted on the deciding score by Geoff Francis with 1:01 to play.

“We were just down (at halftime) and needed a goal,” said Lenihan, who turned to water polo as a conditioning sport about four years ago. “We didn’t have the momentum, and we got it back with the goal. Then we also played good defense and stepped it up.”

Lenihan, who earned All-Palomar League honors last season, anchors a lineup that includes five fellow seniors along with junior goalie Layne Moore.

“This is a good way to start the season and show everyone that we’re on the map,” said Francis, who helped the Falcons reach the section Division I semifinals last season. “Most of us have been together year-round for a long time, and that commitment builds the team.”

Francis converted a skip shot to account for a 6-5 lead. Peter Bergum then had a late steal to thwart a comeback bid by Granite Hills (4-1) in a rematch from last year’s tourney semifinals.

“We are very balanced with guys who can score and play good defense,” said Torrey Pines Rob Tilburg, whose team’s only loss came to returning Division I finalist Vista before the tourney. “We still have work to do, but I’m pleased how we’re progressing.”

Thomas Krueger led the Eagles with two goals. They pulled even again at 5-5 when Rain Croteau-Hanson scored with 4:50 left.